Hamlet Audience

900,000 viewers tuned in on Boxing Day to enjoy Doctor Who star David Tennant and (the newly knighted) Patrick Stewart starring in the film version of the RSC 2008 production of Hamlet on BBC Two.

Running to three-hours, the adaptation achieved an audience share of 4.5% between 5.05pm and 8.10pm on Saturday, which saw the film lining up against ITV big hitters Ant and Dec, Harry Hill and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End on BBC One.

Hamlet was just one of many broadcasts to feature David Tennant in a starring or guest role over the festive period – interestingly the BBC website also ran a Quote of the Day feature over the Christmas weekend which was picked up by “comedian” Dom Joly.

“Quote of the Day from David Tennant on the BBC Website…..gripping stuff….anyone else think he’s a touch over-exposed?” asked Joly on Twitter.

And later: “David Tennant’s gripping quote still up as Quote of the day on BBC news Website – someone please say something interesting…quick.”

And then, earlier today: “David Tennant still up on BBC News Website for third day running with dullest quote of the day ever…”

Why does no one ever complain when Bloody Barrowman is on TV all the time? Eh? EH?!

Update 18:50

…Earlier this week, relaxing in front of the TV, I noticed a pained look on my motherâ€™s face. â€œWhatâ€™s wrong?â€ I asked. â€œItâ€™s that Doctor Who blokey,â€ she sighed. â€œHeâ€™s not been on the television for at least 25 minutes now and Iâ€™m beginning to worry whatâ€™s happened to him.â€

A long-term Doctor Who fan, Christian grew up watching the show and has early memories of the Graham Williams era. His favourite stories are Inferno, The Seeds of Doom and Human Nature (although The Empty Child, Blink and Utopia all come close). When he’s not bossing around the news team, Christian is a freelance writer specialising in mobile technology and domestic computing, and enjoys classic rock, cooking and spending time in the countryside with his wife and young children. You can find him on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.